How to Make Wreaths From Natural Materials

A simple wreath of greens with a large bow makes a stunning decoration.

Making wreaths is not a craft that need be limited to holiday time. By varying the types of plants you use as materials, you can have a natural wreath at any time of the year, made for any type of occasion. You can hang a summertime wreath made from fresh herbs in your kitchen, a fall wreath made from colored leaves as an autumn decoration, and bunches of holly and pine for use as a winter decoration. The possibilities are endless.

Things You'll Need

• 2 wire coat hangers
• Pliers
• Floral wire
• Bunches of cut greenery
• Decorations
• Wire cutters
• Ruler
• Floral tape
• Garden scissors

Instructions

1. Snip the floral wire with the wire cutters into pieces that are approximately eight inches in length. Start with about 50. If needed, you can cut more later.

2. Bend both of the hangers into circular shapes. Do this carefully, leaving the tops of the wire hanger hooks joined. You want to work on these one at a time. Once you have both of them in a circular shape, hold them together to make sure they are similarly shaped.

3. Cut a piece of floral wire three feet in length. Holding the two wire hangers together, wrap the floral wire around both of them so they are thoroughly wired together.

4. Wind the floral tape around the joined wire hangers, completely covering them with the tape. Using floral tape can be a bit tricky at first if you have never used it. While wrapping, you need to use a bit of tension otherwise it will not stick properly.

5. 

   Using this type of pine branches would result in a fuller wreath.

   Match up the ends of three to six bunches of greenery. Use the garden scissors to cut down the stems of any extra long pieces. Using the eight inch piece of floral wire, wire the bunches together. How many bunches you use depends on the type of greenery you are using as well as how full you want the wreath to be. If you are using thin branches and want a full wreath, you will need to use more bunches than if you are using full branches for a thin wreath.

6. Repeat wiring bunches of greenery together until you use up all the greenery. For a more natural look, try varying the number of branches you use in a bunch.

7. Lay the wire hangers down on a flat surface. Lay one bunch of greenery on top of the wire hangers. Using an eight inch piece of floral wire, wire the greenery bunch to the wire hangers. When the first bunch is secure, put a second bunch a half inch to one inch further down the wire hangers than the first with the greenery overlapping. Wire the second bunch in place. Continue with the remaining bunches.

8. Decorate the finished greenery any way you like. For a Christmas theme, you might add a big red bow and some ornaments. For Halloween, try an orange or black bow with some small plastic bats. An Easter wreath can be covered in plastic Easter eggs. The options are endless.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use caution when using cutting implements and wire.

References

• Save On Crafts
• Good Housekeeping